Types of Work Passes in Sarawak

Sarawak has its own immigration system, separate from Peninsular Malaysia. If you need to bring in foreign talent — whether general workers, domestic helpers, or skilled professionals — understanding which work pass applies to your situation is the first step.

Here is an overview of the main types of work passes and permits available in Sarawak, including recent additions like the DE Rantau Nomad Pass.

1. Foreign Worker Permit (General Labour)

Also known as the Social Visit (Temporary Work) visa, this is the most common work pass. It is used by employers in sectors such as:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Plantation and agriculture
• Services (restaurants, retail, cleaning, etc.)
• Timber and logging

Workers must be aged 18 to 45 and come from one of the 12 approved source countries. The employer must hold an Approval in Principle (AP) from the Labour Department and an Employment Licence under the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76). A Calling Visa (VDR) is then issued for the worker to enter Sarawak.

Permits are valid for 6 to 10 years depending on the sector. Workers must undergo medical screening through SAFHIS (Sarawak Foreigners Health Information System) within 30 days of arrival and obtain a Non-Sarawakian Identity Card (NSIC). Note that non-Sarawakian Malaysians (including West Malaysians and Sabahans) also require approval under this system for general labour roles.

2. Domestic Helper Licence (Maid / PRA)

The domestic helper licence — also known as PRA (Pembantu Rumah Asing) — allows Malaysian citizens residing in Sarawak to employ a foreign domestic helper for household duties such as:

• Childcare
• Elderly or family care
• Caring for sick or disabled family members
• General household management

Helpers must be aged 21 to 45 and pass medical screening both in their home country and upon arrival in Sarawak. The pass is issued to a specific employer and is non-transferable.

Common source countries for domestic helpers include Indonesia and the Philippines.

3. Employment Pass (EP1 & EP2)

An Employment Pass is for foreign professionals taking up management, executive, or technical positions that require specific qualifications and experience. The employing company must be a Sdn Bhd registered and operating in Sarawak with a minimum paid-up capital of RM250,000. The applicant must be at least 27 years old.

Sarawak issues two tiers of Employment Pass:

You may apply for a one-year or two-year permit. A Hiring Outcome Report is required — the position must be advertised on JobSarawak for a minimum of 3 working days and in a local newspaper. This is exempt for key posts, shareholders, specialists, and cross-postings. The EP application process is separate from general foreign worker permits and involves different requirements and approvals.

Since November 2025, a Labour Licence is mandatory for all EP applications under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025. Employers must also appoint a Local Understudy Candidate within 6 months of EP approval, or the pass cannot be renewed.

Ineligible sectors: EP applications are not accepted for spas, hair salons, mini markets, cafes and bistros, hawkers, manpower agencies, scrap dealers, small workshops, IT retail outlets, and general furniture/textile businesses.

Note: Companies based in West Malaysia, Sabah, or overseas that do not have an office in Sarawak cannot sponsor an Employment Pass in Sarawak.

4. Professional Visit Pass (PVP / PLIK)

The Pas Lawatan Ikhtisas (PLIK), commonly known as the Professional Visit Pass, is for foreign professionals entering Sarawak on short-term assignments. Unlike the Employment Pass, the PVP is not for permanent employment. There are two variants:

The sponsoring entity must be a Sdn Bhd with the required paid-up capital. If the sponsor does not have a Sarawak address, a Letter of Award or Invitation Letter is required. Processing time is approximately 30 days.

Important: A PVP is not suitable for unskilled labour, domestic work, or permanent employment. Dependant passes are generally not available for PVP holders.

Note: The PVP/PLIK application process is being integrated into Sarawak's new digital immigration platform. Application procedures may evolve as this integration progresses. Contact your agency for the most current submission process.

5. DE Rantau Sarawak Nomad Pass

The DE Rantau Sarawak Pass is a relatively new addition under the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP), managed by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). It is a Professional Visit Pass variant designed for digital nomads and remote professionals.

• Open to all nationalities
• For digital freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and content creators
• Applicants must earn their income from outside Malaysia
• Valid for up to 12 months, renewable once
• Dependants (spouse, children, parents) may apply
• Provides access to co-working spaces and nomad-ready facilities in Sarawak

This pass is separate from the federal DE Rantau programme managed by MDEC. The Sarawak version has its own application process and is specifically for residency in Sarawak.

6. Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP)

The Long-Term Social Visit Pass is primarily for non-Sarawakian spouses who do not qualify for other employment-related passes. It allows residency in Sarawak but does not, by itself, grant the right to work.

• Issued for 6 months to 5 years depending on nationality
• Renewable with supporting documentation
• Non-Sarawakian spouses who wish to work may need to apply separately under the Spouse Programme (Employment Pass)

Which Pass Do You Need?

Important: Sarawak Immigration Autonomy

All of these passes are specific to Sarawak. A work pass issued for Peninsular Malaysia does not grant the right to work in Sarawak, and vice versa. If you are expanding operations from Peninsular Malaysia into Sarawak (or the other way around), you will need to apply for a separate pass through Sarawak's immigration system. This applies to all pass types, including the Employment Pass and PVP.